http://thetoofarfuture.blogspot.com/2009/04/from-kurosawas-idiot-woman-tell-me-what.html

Seeing your coming death, realizing that life, no matter its length, is absurdly short, and thus living it to the 'fullest', such can help one overcome fear. Such a mental device can be used for good but can also be used for bad. It can be used to nonconform, which can be good or bad. It can be used to decide to take the idealistic route, which can be good or bad. It can be used to justify indifference. It can be used to refuse to follow mindless conformity.

But if you really take 'life is short' all the way, it just becomes an absurdity. I imagine the bubonic plague and people having orgies in the streets. Actually there is no amount of 'living it to the fullest' that will make it full enough in view of death.

Which would suggest that it's a mistake actually to 'live it to the fullest'.